Dr. Richard Klausner, former Executive Director, Global Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Initiative Session Date: October 11, 2005

Summary:
Dr. Richard Klausner began by stating that health is essential to wealth. He argued that the inequity in health care around the world can be significantly improved. Science and technology can play a role in alleviating suffering. In order for this to be the case, information and resources must be available. Dr. Klausner stated that diseases are precluding opportunities of economic growth across the globe. According to Dr. Klausner, governments need to be held accountable to not just increase development aid but to ensure that the “engine of discovery” stops ignoring the problems of the developing world. There are opportunities available for the business community to encourage the government on these issues and to ensure that promises are met. We are currently at a turning point in history where we now have a global responsibility to address inequities in the world.

"The first factor of global health is the enormity of the disparity in health and the enormity of the burden in the developing world. The second equally important conclusion…is that it’s unnecessary."

   - Dr. Klausner, speaking to the Initiative for Global Development